At the heart of the Jews of Color Initiative’s grantmaking efforts, alongside our dedicated Program Officers, is a vital group of lay leaders who help ensure that our grant decisions are made with thoughtfulness, equity, and inclusivity. With committed leaders like Jon Cohen, Jamie Maxner, Ben Poretzky, and Santy Barrera, the committee is essential in advancing the Initiative’s mission and ensuring that our grantmaking work effectively addresses communal needs.
Jon Cohen was inspired to join the Grant Advisory Committee by the professional team at JoCI, noting that “a lay leadership experience is only as good as the professional staff who are leading the program.” For Cohen, the most rewarding aspect is having an active role in resourcing initiatives he wished existed during his youth.
Jamie Maxner expresses gratitude for the opportunity to support a variety of innovative initiatives nationwide. She observes that these projects serve diverse groups within the JoC community. “There are so many different types of projects and programs that are all serving the community broadly, whether it’s groups within the JoC umbrella like Asian Jews or Latin Jews, or the JoC community more expansively.” As someone deeply invested in elevating the diverse Jewish community, Maxner finds inspiration in the collective efforts to effect change. “It feeds my soul and gives me motivation to continue to do that in the spaces I occupy.”
Ben Poretzky was drawn to the committee as part of his journey in exploring his identity as an Asian American Ashkenazi Jew. “This multilayered identity has raised questions for me around belonging, lineage, and how I locate myself within Jewish communal life,” Poretzky says.
“Serving on the committee felt like an opportunity to be part of a group that understands that journey and…to be in community with others who are also navigating complex intersections of identity while enthusiastically supporting the broader JoC community.”
Santy Barrera, a recent JoCI Philanthropy Fellow, joined the Grant Advisory Committee this past year, inspired by his transformative experience as a Fellow. He emphasizes that JoCI’s commitment to racial equity and community leadership profoundly influences the activities of the committee. “The committee prioritizes the voices and expertise of those directly impacted by inequities within the Jewish community, centering their leadership in decision-making,” Barrera explains. This organizational commitment evident in the committee’s operations, fosters community-driven solutions to address the specific needs of today’s Jewish community.
The JoCI’s growth as an organization is also reflected in the development of the Grant Advisory Committee. Cohen notes, “As the JoCI grantmaking has grown, so has the ability for specificity and nuance in the programs we fund.” This expansion has led to a substantial leap in the variation of communal programming offered for U.S. Jews, serving the needs and interests of more community members than ever.
Reflecting on the diversity of grant proposals, Maxner recalls a recent meeting where the committee evaluated a set of grants focused on addressing antisemitism. She was “blown away by the breadth and depth of the ideas,” highlighting the varied perspectives within the JoC community and the potential for mutual learning and growth as our collective Jewish community grapples with the rise in antisemitism.
Collaborating with fellow JoC leaders on the Grant Advisory Committee has also been deeply enriching for its members. Cohen describes his colleagues as “smart, thoughtful, kind, and want to make the Jewish world just a little bit better than they found it.” Maxner appreciates the diversity within the committee, noting, “Our experiences are vastly different, the Jewish lives we live are different, the Jewish organizations we are affiliated with are different.” All committee members affirm that this variety of perspectives enriches their discussions and decision-making processes.
Participation in the committee has also influenced members’ own leadership journeys. Maxner, an alum of JoCI’s New York Incubator, feels more connected and equipped to effect change. “What’s really special about JoCI programs, whether it’s the Incubator or a Pro Network gathering, or serving alongside fellow JoC on the Grant Advisory Committee—it puts us in proximity and community with one another. We become more connected and interwoven as a community of change-makers and doers. I feel more equipped to do the work that we are all striving to do.”
Barrera reflects that the experience has deepened his understanding of racial equity and the importance of inclusive leadership, sharing, “it has challenged me to think more critically about power dynamics and how to use my position to foster inclusivity and meaningful change.”
Maxner also highlights JoCI’s role in empowering Jews of Color within the Jewish community. She observes that JoCI has “created a true, legitimate ecosystem for JoC to operate in the Jewish community with meaning and acceptance,” enabling individuals to dream, create, and grow within a supportive infrastructure.
The Grant Advisory Committee is an essential component of the Jews of Color Initiative’s grantmaking, helping to foster a more inclusive, dynamic, and equitable Jewish community. Through their service, these leaders are shaping the future of Jewish life and fostering a more inclusive community.
You can learn more about our Grant Advisory Committee members here.